A Thousand Oaks doctor who was convicted of sexually assaulting a patient under his care is expected to file a motion for a new trial in May.

Barry Lefkovitch, 58, who has been a doctor for more than 22 years, is appealing his conviction and has hired a new attorney, Steve Powell, to file the legal papers to the appellate court.

In September, jurors found Lefkovitch guilty of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of another patient and felony sexual exploitation of patients. The jury found him not guilty of sexual battery.

On Monday, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ryan Wright set a readiness hearing for April 29. Wright will hear the motion for a new trial May 1.

If the motion for a new trial is denied, Wright will likely set a sentencing date for Lefkovitch, prosecutor Cynthia Nguyen said.

Nguyen said Lefkovitch faces up to 12 years and eight months in prison if his request for a new trial is denied. He could also get probation.

Lefkovitch, who was in custody, still has his medical license, Nguyen said.

Nguyen said sentencing Lefkovitch has taken such a long time because he hired a new attorney, Powell, who requested the trial transcripts to review.

“It was a long trial,” she said.

During closing arguments in Lefkovitch’s trial in September, Nguyen said one of the four victims, identified as “H.S.,” went to Lefkovitch to be treated for hives in December 2010 when her regular doctor was unavailable. The woman and two other victims were sexually abused by Lefkovitch at his Arroyo Oaks Medical Group office, Nguyen said.

Nguyen said H.S. had a pelvic exam that included unnecessary digital penetration. Nguyen said there was no chaperone in the exam room and that no gown was provided. Lefkovitch never made medical notes about the pelvic exam as required, Nguyen said.

Attorneys representing Lefkovitch questioned the credibility of the women who said they were abused. Attorney Brian Vogel tried to portray H.S. as a woman with health, emotional and personal problems. The attorneys said she had no credibility.